Whelan tops of the Cavan marathon runners again

Damian McCarney

Shercock Athletics Club's coach was delighted by the performances of the club runners at the Dublin marathon, with John Whelan again putting in a breathtaking performance.

Coach John Joe Rogers, estimated that training properly for the marathon takes between four and a half and five months of dedication, but all those endurance runs and speed sessions paid off for his clubmates as many posted personal best times.

While the legendary Catherina McKiernan remains Cavan's fastest person (2hr 22min), local club runners have put in fabulous times in recent years. 

Cavan's fastest marathon man backed up last year's run of 2hr 33min, by coming within ten seconds of that same time.

“That really is incredible,” says Shercock coach John Joe Rogers.

He puts it in context by explaining that to do a marathon in 3 hours you have to do on average a sub-seven minute mile. John averaged around 5mins 46 seconds per mile.

“It is an incredible time 2hr 33min, and to do it two years in a row, it's unbelievable. Brilliant for a local athlete.

“He was hoping to do sub-2hr 30min, yet and all he had a good run. I think he will break 2hr 30 if everything goes well for him. He has the physique and he is very dedicated.”

Not far behind John Whelan was clubmate Niall Smith, who put in an immense effort to run a personal best time of 2hr 42min.

“He would be a very strong athlete as well,” says John Joe of Niall, who also competes in Ironman events. “His improvement over the last couple of years is phenomenal.”

Arguably the most impressive run was by young Paul Carroll who broke the 3 hour barrier in his very first marathon.

John Joe correctly described it as a “great run”, particularly in the consistency of the pace he set.

“The second half of his marathon would have been just as quick as his first,” enthused John Joe.

“He was very happy with his time and I told him he should be. He was hoping to get around in about do 3hr 10, and he did super to get a time of 2hr 59min.”

Pictured above: Shercock Athletic Club Athletes who did their club proud in the recent Dublin City Marathon and setting some great times in the process,. Front from left Times in Hours and Minutes James Ryall 4.15, Andrew McGowan 4.06, Noel Clerkin 3.22, Carmel McCabe 3.43, Noel McCormack 3.56, Declan O'Sullivan 4.30 and Martin Murray 3.32. Back row from left Jim Crosble 4.31, Kevin McGuinness 2.59, Donal Murphy 3.54, Niall Smith 2.42, Noel Ruxton 3.18, Raymond Carolan 2.43, Ciaran Galligan 3.35, Mervyn Dickson 3.25, John Whelan 2.33 and Paul Carroll 2.59. Missing from picture Francis Fitzpatrick 3.39, John Keane 3.32, Katriona Keana Keane 4.20 and David Cosgrove 3.45.